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PROJECT E.R.A.S.E. - Are your mods legal?

Project E.R.A.S.E. is a program sponsored by the York Regional Police to educate the "tuner" market on what is and is not legal. Below are the most common modifications people make to their cars and whether or not they are considered legal in Ontario.

Exterior Modifications:

1. I want to tint the windows on this car.
There is no restriction on window tint or colouring on rear windows as long as there are side mirrors providing a clear view to the rear. A driver must have a clear view out of the front windows and the windshield and a police officer must have a clear view in.
HTA 73(1)(a)  Window obstructed / Windshield obstructed - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#73.(1)
HTA 73(3)  Colour coating obscuring interior - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#73.(3)
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2. I want to remove or alter the gas cap on this car.
The gas cap must be able to provide a seal to meet emission standards. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended. If the manufacturer put it there, it has to stay.
EPA 23(2) Person - knowingly operating vehicle - emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
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5. I want to remove the door handles on this car.
No Problem. Just how do you expect emergency services to get you out of your car in the event of a crash?
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6. I want to paint this car a different colour.
No Problem, just remember to get a new vehicle permit within 6 days. This also applies to if you change the engine, fuel system, number of doors, number of axles or convert the body style.
HTA O.Reg 628 Section 3  Vehicle modified  fail to apply for new permit - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/R...h/900628_e.htm
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11. I think the tires on this car are still good. How do I check?
Check the tread depth. Tires that are worn below 1.5 millimeters in two adjacent major grooves or where tread wear indicators contact the roadway are unsafe. Any exposed cord or bulges in the sidewall make the tries unsafe too.
HTA 70(3)(a)  Improper tires - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#70.(3)
HTA O.Reg 625 Section 5(b)  Reference Section for HTA 70(3)(a)http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/R...h/900625_e.htm
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12. I want to add graphics to the top of the windshield of this car.
Depending on the size of the lettering this may be illegal. There can be nothing obstructing the drivers view of the road ahead. A good guide is to avoid the area swept by the windshield wipers.
HTA 73(1)(b) - Have object obstructing view - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#73.(1)
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15. I want to remove the windshield wipers on this car.
Every car or truck must have a system to remove moisture from the windshield. It must be in good working order at all times and controlled by the driver.
HTA 66(1)(a)  Improper windshield wiper / No windshield wiper - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#66.(1)
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17. I want to install smoked headlight covers or masks over the headlights.
It is illegal to cover your Headlights with any tinted or coloured material or to reduce the effective area of the beam of your headlights.
HTA 62(7) - Drive with headlamp coated / Drive with headlamp covered / Drive with headlamp modified - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#62.(7)
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18. I want to drive with my headlights, fog lights, rally lights and marker lights on at night.
A car cant have more than four lights pointing forward, projecting a beam with an intensity over 300 candela.
HTA 62(9)  More than 4 lighted headlights - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#62.(9)
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19. I want to set this car up to have the headlights flash alternately.
It is illegal to have alternating flashing headlights except for emergency vehicles.
HTA 169(2)  Prohibited use of alternating highbeam headlights - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...8_e.htm#169.(2)
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20. I want to drive with only the fog lights or daylight running lights on at night.
A proper headlight for night (½ hour before sunset and ½ hour after sunrise) must be capable of switching between projecting high beams or low beams. This must be controlled by the driver.
HTA O.Reg 596 Section 2(1)  Improper Lights - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/R...h/900596_e.htm
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22. I want to put the validation sticker on my licenece plate cover or show all the stickers for every year I have owned my car.
Your sticker or val-tag must be affixed to the top right corner of the rear plate for cars and front plate for commercial motor vehicles.
HTA 12(1)(f)  Use validation not in accordance with Act / Regulations - $140.00/$170.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#12.(1)
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23. I want to put a darkened or coloured licence plate cover on the car.
It is an offence to obstruct, cover or do anything that makes the licence plate numbers not plainly visible or makes the plate appear to be different from the intended appearance.
HTA  Dark, coloured or dirty cover 13(2)  Obstruct plate / Dirty Plate / Entire plate not plainly visible - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#13.(2)
HTA  Yellow or red cover 13(1)  Confuse identity of plate - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#13.(1)
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24. I want to install a nitrous oxide system in my car.
It is legal to possess nitrous oxide. However, the system must be securely mounted. The bottle should be mounted rigidly away from crumple zones. Hatchbacks with bottles containing compressed gas must have a blow-by tube routed underneath the car; in case of failure the gas vents out of the vehicle, not in it. Do not drop it or damage the valve and do not grind off the bottle's date of manufacture. Secure bottles firmly in their mounting brackets, preferably with rubber insulation to protect the bottle. The lines from the bottle to the engine must be of the highest quality and kept separate from all heat sources.
Note: Although legal to possess, most insurance companies will not insure a vehicle equipped with nitrous oxide systems.
Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act: Fail to meet safety requirements, safety standards and safety marks while transporting dangerous goods. (Section 2) - no set fine
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25. I want to install a neon light around my licence plate.
It is illegal to have any other light directed at your licence plate other than white and the light must shine on the plate only. It is illegal to have a coloured neon light illuminate your licence plate. A white light must illuminate your plate.
HTA 62(19)  Improper number plate light - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...8_e.htm#62.(19)
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26. I want to borrow my friend's plates to get this car fixed or to get a safety check done.
Plates have to be registered to the car that they are on. The validation sticker has to match both the car and the plate.
HTA 12(1)(d)  Use plate not authorized for vehicle
HTA 12(1)(e)  Use validation not furnished for vehicle
No Set Fine, Maximum $1000.00 fine or 30 days in jail with a 6 month driving suspension.http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#12.(1)
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27. I want to remove or hollow out the Catalytic Converter on this car.
The Catalytic Converter sensor is an emission control component. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended. If the manufacturer put it there, it has to stay.
EPA 23(2) Person  knowingly operating vehicle  emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
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28. I want to install a custom exhaust on this car.
All cars, trucks and motorcycles need to be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and excessive smoke. Use of a muffler cut-out, straight exhaust, gutted muffler, Hollywood muffler, by-pass or similar device is prohibited.
HTA 75(1)  No muffler - Motor Vehicle / Improper muffler - Motor Vehicle  $85.00/$110.00
HTA 74(4)  Unreasonable smoke / Unnecessary Noise - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#75.(1)
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29. I want to replace my gas tank with a fuel cell.
The fuel delivery and storage system must be sealed to prevent the emission of fuel vapours. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended.
EPA 23(2) Person  knowingly operating vehicle  emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
__________________________________________________ ___________

31. I want to remove the mirrors on this car.
You must keep at least one mirror to provide you with a clear view of the road to the rear.
HTA 66(1)(b)  Improper mirror / No Mirror - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#66.(1)
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33. I want to put the front plate on the dash.
Every car or truck must display two plates; One on the front and one on the back in a conspicuous location. The Plate has to be on the vehicle, not in the vehicle.
HTA 7(1)(b)  Drive motor vehicle fail to display two plates - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...h08_e.htm#7.(1)
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Engine Modifications:

1. I want to disconnect the oxygen sensor on this car.
The oxygen sensor is an emission control component. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended. If the manufacturer put it there, it has to stay.
EPA 23(2) Person  knowingly operating vehicle  emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
__________________________________________________ ___________

2. I want to remove the charcoal canister from this car.
All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended. If the manufacturer put it there, it has to stay.
EPA 23(2) Person  knowingly operating vehicle  emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
__________________________________________________ ___________

3. I want to install a breather filter on the engine of this car.
The Positive Crankcase Ventilation system must be maintained as a closed loop system and the emissions are returned to be burned off by the combustion components of the engine. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended.
EPA 23(2) Person  knowingly operating vehicle  emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
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4. I want to install a cold air intake on this car.
This modification can be made legally, provided that the Positive Crankcase System remains a closed loop system and the emissions are returned to be burned off by the combustion components of the engine. All Emission Control Equipment manufactured on a vehicle must be present and operating as intended.
EPA 23(2) Person  knowingly operating vehicle  emission control equipment not complying with regulations - $300.00/$365.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...19_e.htm#23.(2)
__________________________________________________ ___________

Interior Modifications:

1. I want to hang something from the mirror of this car.
There can be nothing obstructing the drivers view of the road ahead.
HTA 73(1)(b)  Have object obstructing view - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#73.(1)
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2. I want to replace or modify the instrument cluster on this car.
No Problem, but the odometer must be in good working order.
HTA 66(5)  Defective odometer / No Odometer - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#66.(5)
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3. I want to install a DVD player or TV in the dash of this car.
A modification of this type may be illegal. Driving with distractions such as video games, movies and TV shows is very dangerous. If the DVD player has a kill switch that only allows the TV to work when the car is parked, then this is OK. Back seats are allowed to have TVs or DVD players. GPS navigation systems, electronic truck logs, courier and police dispatching systems are examples of permitted use of TVs.
HTA 78(1)(a)  Television in front seat $85.00/$110.00
HTA 78(1)(b)  Television visible to driver $85.00/$110.00
HTA 78 (2)  Television operating in front seat $85.00/$110.00
HTA 78 (2)  Television operating - visible to driver $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#78.(1)
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4. I want to install an aftermarket steering wheel in this car.
No Problem, as long as you remember to relocate or keep the horn switch.
HTA 75(5)  No Horn  Motor vehicle - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#75.(5)
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5. I want to remove the air bags on this car.
No Problem. There are no laws that state you must have, keep or maintain your air bags. Just notify your insurance company so they can adjust your premiums appropriately.
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7. I want to remove the window handles on this car.
The car must have a window to the left of the driver that opens.
HTA O.Reg 611 Schedule 1 Section 1(7)(i) - Reference Section for HTA 84  Operate unsafe vehicle  No Set Fine, Maximum $20,000.00 fine.http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/R...h/900611_e.htm
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12. The parking brake on this car doesn't work, but I don't use it much anyway
Every vehicle must have two working braking systems with separate means of application.
HTA 64(7)  Defective brakes / Defective braking system - $85.00/$110.00http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/DBLaws/S...08_e.htm#64.(7)
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